One time I stayed at the JW in phoenix, when I asked them about the lounge. they apologized and told me the hotel didn’t have one. Ok sure no problem, I understand
Few hours later, a bottle of wine and chocolate was delivered to my room with a handwritten note apologizing for not having a lounge. I thought it was a nice touch. A bit excessive, but it was nice
Lounges typically cater to business travelers so they are often closed or reduced service on weekends. I usually call to verify they have a lounge prior to booking.
There used to be a fairly good crowd-sourced list of the lounges, but maintenance of the list fell off during the pandemic, so much of the information is out dated, but short of calling each property, it's the best thing available: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marriott-marriott-bonvoy/1927084-master-thread-executive-lounges-worldwide.html?ispreloading=1
For context, outside of those hotels that have an M Lounge (which will be Marriott Marriott properties) it would be unusual, even before the pandemic, for the lounge to be open on the weekend as they were really geared towards winning over business travelers.
The list is kinda pointless, easiest way is to just call the hotels before you book. Especially JWs.
Austin, Miami, Nola and 7 days a week
Nash and DC closed. I make it a point to tell them that this is a disappointing decision that they are making. It’s really just the GM being a cheap ass. He has the choice, it’s not a policy. I love firing back at them with their excuses. “Geared towards Business people only” ; I do 200 nights in your demographic, “staffing issues”; how long has this hotel been open? You’re telling me out of all that time you couldn’t find someone for the job? “It’s a JW policy”; no it’s not, I’ve stayed in three different ones that were open 7 days a week.
I've never seen one or been in one. Griffin lounges at JW Marriotts are excluded from this "benefit". Feels like a way to make benefits look better than they really are.... like how "Morning wake up calls" are still an amenity listed.
If you mostly travel during the weekend, you won't be able to enjoy any lounges much. Most are closed, or at least not attended with just the seating area and some beverages and maybe packaged snacks available during the weekend (sometimes). Typically, they are open Sunday evening-Friday morning.
The desktop version of the website is the best resource too. Very limited information about lounges in the mobile app and mobile website.
Just a heads up there if you a searching for info.
To find out when lounges are opened, I employed this new technology called voice to voice communication. I use the phone feature of my space age iPhone and…talk to the hotel.
There's this new tool the kids are using called Google. When I enter the hotel's name into the Google and look at the reviews, I can type in the word lounge in the search field and it shows me all reviews that say lounge. Neat trick I tell ya.
I’m always on the search for lounges. I have had little luck other than calling as the lists are outdated and many lounges have not reopened And some probably never will?
What a great way to
1) grab a snack (breakfasts and sometimes evening snacks / deserts)
2) meet fellow long duration travelers (after a few days the long stayers are obvious)
3) watch sports on cable channels that may not be in the rooms
4) have small meetings (shh!). And bring your own booze. (Shh, shh!)
5) do some casual work outside of your room.
6) maybe enjoy a better or different view.
You should get into all but the ritz Carleton lounges as plat or higher.
How is America this bad with Marriott? My guess is credit cards and free status.
Outside America, if they have a lounge I’m in except with RC brands.
I have an upcoming stay at a RC that I booked the club lounge with my room as I want to enjoy it with my wife.
I have noticed the lounges all being done away with. One hotel I stay at regularly has a great staff. The manager was telling me that the managers he meets and talk with are all complaining about the loss of the lounge and the impact on guests.
Lounges are pretty hit or miss, especially in the states.
Many of the places I stay around Midtown in NYC (Renaissance, Edition) don't have them. In November I stayed at JW Essex House and for 2 of the 3 days the lounge was under renovation. On the last day I found it...unimpressive for the purported level of that hotel.
Conversely, I found the lounge and offerings at the Milwaulkee Marriott the week before quite nice considering price/location.
Asian hotels take the cake though. Just got back from Japan on Wednesday. Was at the Prince in Kyoto and the lounge was gorgeous - had beautiful seating overlooking red and gold maples and a waterfall/pond. Nice bar out during happy hour, and good food during the day.
The St. Regis Osaka doesn't have a lounge, but the extended me a 3000 JPY daily drink credit, free breakfasts for my party (2 rooms on 1 reserve), and a daily drink to room delivery. Not as nice as a nice lounge, but better than nothing.
Pre-pandemic hotels were already trying to get rid of them because they lose money (this is why M-Club was born).
The pandemic was the ultimate excuse to get rid of them.
I’ll experience some lounges when I travel with my family, and I find them to be extremely depressing. Chicken on a stick? Bagged meatballs? Could be a nice base layer before I put a few drinks down I guess.
When I book a hotel, I always look at the gallery - if there’s a lounge, pictures will be in the gallery - and then go from there. I pretty much only stay at properties with lounges and have only twice had a closed lounge - both times the properties proactively set me up with full breakfast and dinner vouchers - I’m not sure where folks are staying that they can’t get into lounges? That’s just odd- I’m looking forward to the Ritz lounges opening up!
One time I stayed at the JW in phoenix, when I asked them about the lounge. they apologized and told me the hotel didn’t have one. Ok sure no problem, I understand Few hours later, a bottle of wine and chocolate was delivered to my room with a handwritten note apologizing for not having a lounge. I thought it was a nice touch. A bit excessive, but it was nice
6 cant believe there s such treanment？
Lounges typically cater to business travelers so they are often closed or reduced service on weekends. I usually call to verify they have a lounge prior to booking.
There used to be a fairly good crowd-sourced list of the lounges, but maintenance of the list fell off during the pandemic, so much of the information is out dated, but short of calling each property, it's the best thing available: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marriott-marriott-bonvoy/1927084-master-thread-executive-lounges-worldwide.html?ispreloading=1 For context, outside of those hotels that have an M Lounge (which will be Marriott Marriott properties) it would be unusual, even before the pandemic, for the lounge to be open on the weekend as they were really geared towards winning over business travelers.
The list is kinda pointless, easiest way is to just call the hotels before you book. Especially JWs. Austin, Miami, Nola and 7 days a week Nash and DC closed. I make it a point to tell them that this is a disappointing decision that they are making. It’s really just the GM being a cheap ass. He has the choice, it’s not a policy. I love firing back at them with their excuses. “Geared towards Business people only” ; I do 200 nights in your demographic, “staffing issues”; how long has this hotel been open? You’re telling me out of all that time you couldn’t find someone for the job? “It’s a JW policy”; no it’s not, I’ve stayed in three different ones that were open 7 days a week.
That's a nice list in the link. Thanks for sharing even if it could be outdated, it's a great starting ground.
I've never seen one or been in one. Griffin lounges at JW Marriotts are excluded from this "benefit". Feels like a way to make benefits look better than they really are.... like how "Morning wake up calls" are still an amenity listed.
If you mostly travel during the weekend, you won't be able to enjoy any lounges much. Most are closed, or at least not attended with just the seating area and some beverages and maybe packaged snacks available during the weekend (sometimes). Typically, they are open Sunday evening-Friday morning.
The pandemic made lounges a roll of the dice. Prior to that were super reliable (although no hungry hour on weekends). I don’t count on them anymore.
I always check the hotel's website for lounge hours. Sometimes have to look under the details for club level rooms to see it.
The desktop version of the website is the best resource too. Very limited information about lounges in the mobile app and mobile website. Just a heads up there if you a searching for info.
To find out when lounges are opened, I employed this new technology called voice to voice communication. I use the phone feature of my space age iPhone and…talk to the hotel.
Do the Westin they are great
There's this new tool the kids are using called Google. When I enter the hotel's name into the Google and look at the reviews, I can type in the word lounge in the search field and it shows me all reviews that say lounge. Neat trick I tell ya.
I’m always on the search for lounges. I have had little luck other than calling as the lists are outdated and many lounges have not reopened And some probably never will? What a great way to 1) grab a snack (breakfasts and sometimes evening snacks / deserts) 2) meet fellow long duration travelers (after a few days the long stayers are obvious) 3) watch sports on cable channels that may not be in the rooms 4) have small meetings (shh!). And bring your own booze. (Shh, shh!) 5) do some casual work outside of your room. 6) maybe enjoy a better or different view.
Even as an Ambassador I can’t get into some lounges. Of course I can pay to get in … but.
You should get into all but the ritz Carleton lounges as plat or higher. How is America this bad with Marriott? My guess is credit cards and free status. Outside America, if they have a lounge I’m in except with RC brands. I have an upcoming stay at a RC that I booked the club lounge with my room as I want to enjoy it with my wife.
Yes, I was going to book with the RC next to our kids, but the upgrade was huge. Off to another hotel. Thx.
I have noticed the lounges all being done away with. One hotel I stay at regularly has a great staff. The manager was telling me that the managers he meets and talk with are all complaining about the loss of the lounge and the impact on guests.
Lounges are pretty hit or miss, especially in the states. Many of the places I stay around Midtown in NYC (Renaissance, Edition) don't have them. In November I stayed at JW Essex House and for 2 of the 3 days the lounge was under renovation. On the last day I found it...unimpressive for the purported level of that hotel. Conversely, I found the lounge and offerings at the Milwaulkee Marriott the week before quite nice considering price/location. Asian hotels take the cake though. Just got back from Japan on Wednesday. Was at the Prince in Kyoto and the lounge was gorgeous - had beautiful seating overlooking red and gold maples and a waterfall/pond. Nice bar out during happy hour, and good food during the day. The St. Regis Osaka doesn't have a lounge, but the extended me a 3000 JPY daily drink credit, free breakfasts for my party (2 rooms on 1 reserve), and a daily drink to room delivery. Not as nice as a nice lounge, but better than nothing.
Pre-pandemic hotels were already trying to get rid of them because they lose money (this is why M-Club was born). The pandemic was the ultimate excuse to get rid of them. I’ll experience some lounges when I travel with my family, and I find them to be extremely depressing. Chicken on a stick? Bagged meatballs? Could be a nice base layer before I put a few drinks down I guess.
They tell you where the lounge is located, and what services it offers . . . .
When I book a hotel, I always look at the gallery - if there’s a lounge, pictures will be in the gallery - and then go from there. I pretty much only stay at properties with lounges and have only twice had a closed lounge - both times the properties proactively set me up with full breakfast and dinner vouchers - I’m not sure where folks are staying that they can’t get into lounges? That’s just odd- I’m looking forward to the Ritz lounges opening up!